Etsy Finds

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted.  Got to admit...I've been a little busy.  With Etsy.  Yes, I launched my online shop in 2012, but I can honestly say that I did nothing with it.  I thought I'd open my shop and people would flock to see all my goodies.  Ha!  Nothing is THAT easy. 

So, this past year I've been hustling.  I created a FB page for my shop (https://www.facebook.com/CreationsByLaya) go there and like my page!) I tweet regularly (https://twitter.com/VEMathis), I PIN a lot (https://www.pinterest.com/vem418/), and recently I've started Tumbling on Tumblr (https://www.tumblr.com/blog/vemathis), and I've joined endless teams on Etsy to help promote my shop along with others.  And I'm having loads of fun!  One extremely useful tool that keeps me "social" is Around.io.  Five minutes a week keeps me up-to-date on FB, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr.  Set it and forget it and watch the "likes" build.  Get Around.io for your shop: http://arnd.co/ot1XV

Got to keep up the presence on social media!  And there are a lot of forums.  Since I love to crochet and love to write, I think I'm going to try my hand at writing crochet patterns.  I know that's going to be harder than I think it is.  LOL.  Until I get back in the swing of things on this blog, stop by a visit a few of my team mates and show them some love!  Till next time,

Stay Blessed and Happy
Verdi


Ellie Marie Designs - https://www.etsy.com/shop/EllieMarieDesigns?ref=teams_post
Whiskeys Whims - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhiskeysWhims?ref=teams_post
Sue Runyon Designs - https://www.etsy.com/shop/SueRunyonDesigns?ref=teams_post
Movie Knitter - https://www.etsy.com/shop/MovieKnitter?ref=teams_post
In the Heart of Dixie - https://www.etsy.com/shop/InTheHeartofDixie?ref=teams_post
Whits End Design - https://www.etsy.com/shop/WitsEndDesign?ref=teams_post

Book Review: Honeymoon for One

Book Review:  Honeymoon for One
Author:  Chris Keniston
Rating:  Five stars 









Honeymoon for One is the love story of Michelle Bradford and Lloyd Kirkland McEntire, Jr.

Michelle Bradford had to grow up fast.  When both her parents were killed in a car accident, she was left alone to raise her ten year old sister.  Michelle sheltered the responsibility and chucked the life and dreams she had for herself to be a responsible role model for her sister.  The one dream she didn’t abandon was the “happily ever after” complete with a husband, house and babies.  Those dreams go awry when three days before her wedding, her fiancée and her best friend announce they are in love and leaving for Las Vegas to get married.  When word gets out that Michelle has been jilted, her next door neighbor and her co-worker insist that she go on the honeymoon cruise anyway, to get distance from the situation and have a little fun.

Lloyd Kirkland McEntire, Jr likes to live hard and play hard.  He’s a shrewd businessman who comes in and shakes up companies on the brink of disaster and turns them around, which sometimes involves closing the business or eliminating departments within the business.  When he’s done with his dirty work, he lets loose and plays hard by travelling the world. 

On her honeymoon cruise, Michelle has left the old Michelle behind in her hometown.  Where at home she wears dresses well below the knee and attends PTA meetings, on this cruise she’s a fun-loving, risk taking, fly by the seat of your pants having carefree person.  She’s donned the long dresses for clothing that reveal a little skin.  Gotten rid of the one piece bathing suit for a more dangerous bikini that leaves little to the imagination.  She’s also enjoying a few too many alcoholic beverages which makes her let her hair down.

The responsible Michelle would never gamble.  But this new Michelle (filled with three or four BBC’s—Baileys Banana Colada’s)—takes a chance at the craps table.  There she meets Kirk.  With his jet black hair and Mediterranean blue eyes, he takes her on one adventure after another on their ten day cruise.  Although a shipboard affair is not what she planned, knowing she’ll never see him again gives her something to hold on to when she goes home and settles back in to her boring existence.

To him she was “Micki.”  Adventurous, fun loving, play hard daredevil.  The kind of woman he’s used to finding on cruises, having a liaison with and forgetting as soon as the ship docks.  He doesn’t want the complicated cliché’ of wife, white picket fence, two point five children and nine to five.  It’s boring.  And he is all about living life to the fullest.

To her he was “Kirk.”  A sexy, adventurous stranger who made her adventurous as well.  With him she went parasailing, climbed rock walls and lived a carefree existence.  An existence she thought would never follow her home to Bluffview. 

When they meet in her tiny town of Bluffview, it changes both of their lives completely.

This story was pretty predictable.  Several things happened that I saw coming from the proverbial “mile away.”  All in all, they worked for this story.  All the characters were well developed and relatable.  I felt a kindred spirit in Michelle.  She reminded me of me. 

This was a very quick read had good story pacing and kept my interest.  I didn’t want to put it down.  I read it on the train to and from work, during my lunch hour and finished it the same evening.  I love stories that pull me in and make me want to finish them.  I almost wished this was a little longer.  This was well written.  I didn’t find any errors, typographical or grammatical. 

If you are a fan of romance, which I am; this is the book for you.  Highly recommended.  Five stars. 

Read my review on Amazon.com:  http://www.amazon.com/review/RCP6P8SI3TH1O/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00DNEH2L0&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

Book Review: To Be With You (The Sunset Series)

To Be With You (The Sunset Series) - Kindle Edition
Author:  Opal Mellon
Publication Date:  April 27, 2013


***Note*** I didn't finish this book.  I tried to.  I wanted to, and I've kept it on my Kindle, just in case I want to give it another try.

To Be With You is the love story of Nicole Pierce and Sean Rollins.  Nicole and Sean were best friends as children.  Nicole moved away when Sean was eleven to live with her Aunt but they kept in contact through letters and eventually, with the evolving world of technology, through email and instant messaging.

Nicole has a disastrous dating history:  she always goes for the wrong man.  He starts out fine, but turns into a womanizer or abuser.  After a series of failed relationships, she decides to try her hand at a "host club"--a dating club, called Club Blue, where the men are charming, fashionable, and treat women with respect.  After all, it is part of their job description.

Nichole tells Sean during one of their chat sessions that she's going to check out "Club Blue" to find an escort for an event she has to attend.  She goes for an interview as a potential client and meets with Hope, the co-owner of the establishment and three male hosts, to decide which would suit her for her event.  After talking to Justin, Jason and "John," she senses something familiar with the man who calls himself "John."  He reminds her so much of her best friend Sean.  He should.  He is Sean.

Sean, as "John" knows that his facial features and body have changed over the years since Nicole last saw him, but to hide his identity during their initial meeting, he wears a mask over his eyes and tells her his name is John.  This causes the other two escorts to raise their eyebrows, but they don't give away his secret.

Nicole picks John/Sean as her date and soon realizes that he is her childhood friend Sean, but doesn't let on.  After a couple dates, Sean takes a stroll on the beach to clear his head about Nicole.  He's debating if he should come clean and admit who he is, knowing that he could ruin their longtime friendship by admitting that he lied to her about who he really was and knowing how she mistrusts men, he doesn't want her to end up hating him.

Nicole lives with her aunt who has a house across the street from the beach.  The very same beach that John/Sean has decided to walk around while hashing out his thoughts.  When she sees this strange figure sitting there at dark, pretty much "baying at the moon," she goes to see if the person is okay.  As she approaches the figure, she realizes it is John/Sean and confronts him and tells him she knows who he is.

After talking a little more, they each ask the other to try and help them find a suitable match.  Both secretly hoping to make the other jealous at the prospects of setting the other one up with a "perfect match."  As Sean has always loved Nicole, even when they were children, he knows he's the man for her.

Okay.  This is pretty much where I left off.  Honestly, I wanted to love this book.  When I read the book blurb I thought it sounded like a good premise and promising storyline.  I was wrong.  I don't like giving negative reviews because as a writer myself, I don't want to read them about my book that I've poured my heart and soul into.  No author wants a negative review of their "baby." But I just couldn't make it through this book.  I got a little over halfway through and gave up.  I really don't know what it was, but it didn't hold my interest.  The writing and grammar were pretty flawless.  I didn't find any errors that jarred me out of the story.  The story itself was just dry.  I love books where I jump into the story and can't put the book down.  Generally fly through them in a couple days (if I read non-stop, don't cook for my kids or clean the house) you know, pretty much don't do anything else.  LOL  It took me over a month just to get halfway and give up.  That's so disappointing.  Like I said above, it's still on my Kindle and I might try to finish it.  Some other time.

I'm not giving up on Ms. Mellon as a writer.  I will read more of her books.  But "To Be With You," I have to give a 1 star rating.  And this truly breaks my heart.

Read my review on Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/review/R38OPMZKUN0O14/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00CKE1TSQ&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

Book Review - Taken by Storm

Book Review:  Taken by Storm

Author:  Rochelle Alers
Release Date:  8/1/2008

Taken by Storm is the third book in the series of the Whitfield Brides.  It covers the love story of Simone Whitfield and Raphael “Rafe” Madison. 

Simone Whitfield is a 33 year old, five foot-three inch, petite divorced florist, who is out jogging one morning and witnesses the brutal attack on her friend and neighbor, who happens to be a federal court judge.  As a federal witness, she is placed in protective custody under the watchful eye of hunky lawman, Rafe Madison.

Rafe Madison is a 35 year old, six foot-three inch, two hundred and ten pound, blue-eyed, blond-haired Deputy Marshal from Kansas.   Ruggedly handsome, and extremely athletic, Rafe walked away from a promising career as a pro baseball player due to domestic problems on the home front.  Ever since then, he’d been sworn to “protect and serve.”

I have two words for this book:  Awe – Some! 

I’m not being biased because Rochelle Alers is my fav romance author.  No.  Not at all. 

I will admit I thought there would be more action, maybe an attempt to get to Simone, or something.  To me, this was just a series of family gatherings with a sprinkle of witness protection thrown in to break up the parties.  I still give it a big thumbs up because of the character development.  I love well-written, character driven romances.  And this one fit the bill.  Leave it to me to read the last book in a series, first.  Ha-ha.  I guess because I didn’t read them in order, I kept getting the other characters mixed up.  And there were quite a few characters.  Lots of family members.  One of the things I like about trilogies is catching up on past couples’ stories.  Seeing how things have progressed.  I missed that by starting with the third book.  But I loved this one so much, I don’t care about the others. 

Simone is feisty, quick-tempered, and independent.  She will mouth off at the drop of a hat and hunky-hunk can stop her tirade with just one word:  “enough.” 

Since her business is based out of her home, Rafe moves into her house to protect her until the trial.  In public they pretend to be a couple so people won’t question why Rafe is following her around like a lovelorn puppy.  The pretense turns into reality as Rafe quicky realizes his feelings for Simone are more than pretend. 

I can’t rave enough about this book.  I truly enjoyed reading about Rafe and Simone.  Rafe is my kind of hero:  over-protective without being smothering; assertive without being arrogant and intelligent without proving himself by spouting off the Pythagorean Theorem.   And, Oh-Em-Gee, is he super-fine. 

 

Read my review on Amazon.com:    http://www.amazon.com/review/R329USV4IAFAKA

 

Etsy Feature Item of the Week

Hey everyone,

I have a new item I posted in my Etsy shop the other day.  It is a three piece hat, neck wrap and fingerless gloves set.  In black, red and white stripes, this set is perfect for cold weather.  See details below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157486472/black-white-red-crochet-hat-set-slouchy



Black, red and white striped slouchy hat set.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Till next time. 

Stay Blessed and Happy.

VEM

Etsy Feature Item

The feature item for the week is this gorgeous Blue 1920's style Flapper Cloche. 


https://www.etsy.com/listing/121039684/blue-flapper-style-cloche-1920s-flapper



Fits 21" to 24" circumference.

Etsy Shop - Now Open

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to update you all on my Etsy Shop.  The title of my shop is "Creations by Laya," and you can access it here.  I'm working on updating the photos, and overall appearance of the shop, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know.  Below is my first feature item.

Plum & White Newsboy Hat
with Matching Earrings 




This Newsboy hat is made with acrylic yarn in double crochet stitches.  The brim on the hat can be worn up or flipped up on one side.  The large matching earrings are for pierced ears and have silver plated ear wire.  Ear wire contains nickel.

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, and for visiting my shop.  Till next time.

Stay Blessed and Happy.

VEM

Now I can breathe

Hey everyone.  I can breathe a sigh of relief now, my Men's & Women's Day program is over.  It was beautiful.  Our guest preacher, Rev. Percy Coker, formerly of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, now at Dreamland Park Missionary Baptist Church, in Winston-Salem, NC, was awesome!  He had the house rocking!

It was a wonderful sermon, a great day, and we all had a fine time in the House of the Lord.  And, oh the colors.  I don't know if I told you the color scheme was lavendar and gray.  And those colors are pretty together.  The pulpit looked great with the flowers and everyone in the program wore a corsage or lapel pin and they rocked them.  Everyone liked the fans and bookmarks and treat boxes; all in all, everything turned out great.  Thank you, Lord!  I was worried at first, since I had to do it all myself.  But He had my back the entire time.  Now I can slink back into the obscure shadows.  LOL  I kinda like it there.  Nobody bothers me, 

I had a lot of fun making everything for the program, but it was a lot of work.  I mean a lot.  A whole lot.  Now I know better.  If I do this program next year, I'm going to make it easy on myself.  Not going to slack up on anything, but nothing as tedious as those boxes!  They were cute and made a lovely presentation, but half of them were in the trash can before the people left the church.  All the folding and cutting and gluing and labeling and ribbon curling, which took HOURS to get done, gone in a matter of seconds.  But they did look nice .  LOL  Here's a picture of one of them:


It's not showing up very well, but they boxes were pretty.  I made 100 of them.  That's the front. 







I don't think I showed you a picture of the flowers.  Anyway,
this


became this===>








And, I wound up getting three jobs from all this!  God is good.  I was not expecting anything like that.  I did all this because I love crafting.  But God, in His infinite wisdom, has my back.  Amen!

Til next time,

Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Moving right along...

Mother's Day corsages for church for tomorrow - done






Two dozen crocheted roses for the pulpit for
Men's & Women's Day program next month - done

Corsages for Men's &  Women's Day program for next month - done

Now, on to the bookmarks, fans and treat boxes.  I am so enjoying this!  In my element when I have to be creative. 

Til next time.  Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

I'm baaaack!

What’s up, everybody?

I know I haven’t blogged in quite some time. Things come up and I think “oh I should post a blog,” then never get around to it. I’ve got quite a few things to blog about right now, so I may post several over the next few days.

First and foremost...drum roll please………I’m a grandma! My first grandchild made her entrance into the world on January 18, 2012. Guess what, y’all? That’s Jesse’s birthday!!! LOL You know how much I love me some Jesse L. Martin, and for my little Kennedy to be born on that day just made it all the more special. She is simply gorgeous, of course. She is now three, almost four months old and just as adorable as she can be.

I could gush about her all day. I’ve already crocheted her so many cute booties and hats and headbands, and I can’t wait until she’s big enough to fit the dress I crocheted for her! What can I say, babies are a crafters’ dream, because they give you so many things to create! I’ll get some pictures posted of the items I've made for her in a few days.

So much to do right now. I’m working on a program at church and I’m in the midst of creating bookmarks and fans and treat boxes. I wanted to make a praise and worship CD, but if I do all that this year, what will they have to look forward to next year??? LOL I’m also working with another member and we’re doing corsages for Mother’s Day. I’m just busy, busy, busy. But I love it! Here’s what I’ve done so far on the corsages.

Wow, I've got to run already! Just wanted to hop on here and say, "hi!" Oh, and watch "Scandal," tonight, 10:00 p.m. ABC. I'm loving that show right now. Til next time. Stay Blessed and happy.

Lazy Wednesday

I have nothing to blog about today. Usually, I'll post a "celebrity spotlight" when I have nothing else to say, but I'm in a real lazy mood today, so I just popped in to say "Hi!"

I'm going to veg out on my sofa and watch some T.V. It's too hot and humid here to do anything, other than rest under an air conditioner and drink lots of fluids.

Till next time. Hopefully I'll have something to talk about. :-)

Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

I got it for free!

Hallelujah! He is so worthy to be praised. You ask for a nickel, He gives you a dollar. You ask for a sandwich, He gives you bag of groceries. I asked for a washing machine and He gave me a washing machine and a 36" TV--for FREE! Say what?!

That's right, people. Craigslist came through for me. I had been checking it pretty regularly, but things were moving so fast. I was Blessed to find a posting for a free washer, dryer and TV on Friday. I emailed the guy and he responded right away. After about 4 or 5 emails, I had his address and my son was on his way to Purcellville, VA. I have no idea where that is, but I hear the homes there are big and beautiful.

I had my prayer circle going the entire time he was en route and back. His girlfriend went along for the ride. She called after they had loaded up the car and asked, "Ma, did you want the TV too?" Before I could respond she said, "cause we got it." LOL I didn't even know both the washer and TV would fit in my Pacifica. It's roomier than I thought.

Needless to say, all our clothes are cleaned and put away now. I just need to take down the curtains and give them a refresher.

It's true what they say: you really don't appreciate the things you have until they are gone. But, God, in his infinite wisdom, has provided us with so many blessings and we take them for granted every single day.

We complain about the high prices of gasoline; but forget to be thankful for a car to drive. We complain about the high rent and mortgages we pay; but forget to be thankful for a roof over our head. We complain and complain about so many things, but forget to be thankful that he woke us up and gave us another chance. It could have been another way.

That's all for now. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Sharing a new find

Actually, I didn't "find" it. I was told about it. It's called FreeCycle. It's a place where you can offer and/or receive things. You join the group/groups in your area and offer things in good/working condition, that you no longer need; and ask for things you need/want. I just joined and posted my need for a washing machine. My twenty-year old Maytag washer broker in November, right before Thanksgiving. I've been schlepping to the laundromat weekly and when I can't get to the mat, I've had to wash by hand. Not fun at all. So, I posted my need for a washer. I'm praying God will grant me favor and I will be blessed with a free washer. I'm not particular about the brand as long as it works. Funds have gotten so much tighter since my oldest son is not working and I just can't seem to save anything.

I've been checking Craigslist, and found a few for sale, but none for free.

Anywhoser, http://www.freecycle.org. Check it out.

Till next time. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Venting...

*sigh*

Why do I allow myself to get drawn into conversations where I know I'll wind up frustrated, pissed off, and wanting to go home and kick the dog?!? Yeah. That's where I found myself at 4:30 on Tuesday afternoon. All because of a man. A man whom I have washed my hands of...about twenty times already.

I can go for weeks on end without uttering a single word to him and in one afternoon he pulls me into what starts out to be an innocent discussion and before I know it, I'm ready to strangle him and completely pissed off with myself for falling for the okie-doke.

Ugh!

Why do people have to play games? Why do they tip-toe around their feelings instead of just saying what's on their mind? Why can't they just be honest? And where, oh where is my King? The one man who I can share my thoughts and feelings? The one I can talk to about anything? Be myself with? And he can do the same with me? WHERE IS HE ALREADY?????

Oh, that's right. He's buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Bummer.

That's it for now. Stay Blessed and happy. And I'll try to do the same.

VEM

They grow up so fast

My second son is graduating from High School this June. He attended his senior prom last week. *sigh*

I made this corsage for his date.

My oldest on the leff (looking like a thug - *smh*); and my second born.

Two down, one to go. But I have another six years before he graduates from school.

*sigh* Where does the time go?

That's it for now. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Crocheted Purse

I got up Saturday morning and did my house cleaning, as usual. Around noon, I took a break, had a bite to eat, and by three, I was finished making this purse.

This was a super easy pattern to follow and lickety-split quick to complete. I had made the flowers that are attached, to be used as pins, but I liked them so much and they were big and pretty, so I attached them to the purse. I don't know if you can make out the little bronze squares at the top, but I plunked them off of an old blouse I was trashing. I don't know about you, but I recycle buttons, and odds and ends off of clothes, after they've been worn out and no longer usable. Whenever I need to embellish a purse, or scarf or whatever, I reach in my handy-dandy bag and generally find something I can use.

I made mine a litte different from the pattern, which can be found here:
Clustered Tote Bag, in that, I did 2 rows black, 3 rows white, 5 rows brown, 3 rows white, and finished with 1 row black before I started the double crochet row. I also made a lining for mine.

I love this pattern. I think I might make another on in all black and get a funky color for the lining and maybe add a zipper. I'm such a bag lady! I love purses and totes and clutches and wristlets and shoulder bags and... well, you get the picture. LOL

That's it for now. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Prayer Shawl

A few weeks ago in church, the Minister told us one of our members had breast cancer. She had been in remission for 20 years, but the doctors found something on her last appointment.

It was sad. It was touching. It was overwhelming.

I wanted to make her a prayer shawl and I've been searching the internet for a pattern I liked but just couldn't find the right one. I stumbled upon "Julie's Tears." It's easy, simple, and beautiful.

I fought over this for a few weeks; trying to find the right pattern. Eventually, I gave up and decided to make my own pattern. I graphed the words "Prayer for health" and started single crocheting the shawl. I wasn't feeling it. I figured out yesterday the reason I wasn't "feeling it." I have to be slightly under the weather. It didn't make sense to me either until I really thought about it. When I woke up yesterday, I had a horrible headache. I think it was from all the pollen. I just felt miserable. I searched the internet for a pattern and found "Julie's Tears" immediately. I reached for my yarn, turned on my gospels and three hours later, my prayer shawl was finished.

My crazy way of thinking is that I need to be in pain to tune in to the healing I'm praying for, for the recipient. Like I said, crazy. But it worked for me. And when I was done, my headache was gone. Don't tell me prayer doesn't work!

Here's the link to the prayer shawl: http://www.shawlministry.com/Crochet%20Patterns/julie_tears.htm

That's it for now. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

Celebrity Spotlight

I first noticed this young actor in the movie "Stomp the Yard." According to IMDb, he was born Columbus Keith Short, Jr, on September 19, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Columbus started entertaining at the age of three by putting on shows for his folks' enjoyment. His family later relocated to Los Angeles where, by his early teens, Columbus had landed work in such television commercial campaigns as Mountain Dew, Denny's Restaurant, Nike and Pizza Hut, to name a few. As a senior in high school, he was offered an opportunity to graduate two months early in order to see the world with the traveling production of the Broadway show, Stomp! And after a couple of years on the road with that famed dance troop, he would parlay his professional success into a stint as the choreographer of 'Britney Spears' In the Zone tour. Though a very versatile Renaissance Man who is also a writer, musician and director, Columbus came off the road to pursue his primary passion, namely, acting.

His motion picture credits include:

Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming - DJ
The Losers - Pooch (Loved it!)
Death at a Funeral - Jeff (Loved it!)
Armored - Ty Hackett
Whiteout - Delfy
Cadillac Records - Little Walter
Quarantine - Danny Wilensky
This Christmas - Claude Whitfield (Loved it!)
Stomp the Yard - DJ (Loved it!)
Accepted - Daryl 'Hands' Holloway (gonna have to watch this again)

In addition, he has guest-starred on TV shows like "That's So Raven," "ER," "Judging Amy," and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." Up next for Columbus, he will star with Kerry Washington in the ABC drama "In Crisis."

When not working, Columbus loves football, basketball and snowboarding.

That's it for now. Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM

God's Plan of Salvation

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 6:23

The first chapter in our Bible study book was "God's plan of salvation," and our memory work was Rom 6:23. I now know that verse by heart. And I know that in order to have eternal life, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Thankfully, all of my children have the gift of eternal life. My two older boys were Baptized 9 years ago; and my youngest son was Baptized on March 16, 2011, and received the right hand of Fellowship on March 20, 2011.

Eternal life. It's there for us. All we need to do is accept Him.

Take care til next time.

VEM

Fourth Diaper Cake

Here is another diaper cake I did for a baby shower for this weekend. I'm really getting into these.

Stay Blessed and happy.

VEM